Living As A Cancer Survivor - Does Character Matter Anymore ? Part 2

Mark, seen with his dog Sammy, survived Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Everyone experiences a time in their life where they chose what looked better over what had more value. Here is Part 2 of "Does Character Matter Anymore?"

Upon arriving home from my interview with the AP, I received a phone call from the person who passed me up at ESPN. He proceeded to offer me the job he said I wasn't good enough for the week prior. 

Without hesitation, I accepted. The sadness and desperation I experienced immediately disappeared.  

While I was celebrating my new employment (my position at ESPN was for the college basketball season - a temp-hire), the phone rang again. This time it was the AP. The first words out of the mouth of the person on the other line were, "Congratulations, Mark! You got the job!"                                                          

In my delirium of being hired by the Worldwide Leader in Sports Entertainment, I obliterated the job interview of which I just returned. Making matters worse, the person responsible for getting me the meeting went out of his way to do so (the job at the AP was a full-time position with benefits).                                 

What does this have to do with surviving cancer? I made a mistake that day. My selfishness prompted me to take the job that did not make me their first choice. Why did I do that? I preferred the status that ESPN gave me. I allowed my ego to overrule my character.

While I enjoyed a wonderful ten years at ESPN, that featured winning two Emmy Awards and countless amazing people I learned from, I often wonder what my future would have been had I taken the job at the AP.

In the last few years, God has shown me what matters in life. Living with the reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed, causes severe anxiety about the time I have left on this earth.                                                       

I believe God gave me strength that kept me alive during transplant. I faced impossible odds that should have killed me countless times. Each day which passes, and I don't return that gift of life to others, bothers me.

If I'm not here to encourage, motivate, and inspire others to appreciate the many blessings, along with carrying the torch for those who passed away from this disease, why am I here?                

I desire success because I know the value of struggle. I've learned the hard way that status without loyalty is meaningless. I took for granted the blessings God allowed me because I let my ego to overtake my character.

Waiting on God's timing is hard. I'm tired and sad, but I need to trust the character He has refined in me touches others' and gives them the hope I often lack myself. 

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